Are Your Local Police Ready for Georgia’s New Digital Driver’s License Law?

Georgia drivers can now legally show their license on a smartphone when pulled over, but don’t delete your plastic card from your wallet just yet.

🚗 Why It Matters: While the new law officially recognizes digital licenses as valid identification, most police departments won’t have the technology to scan them until 2027, creating a two-year gap where drivers still need physical cards as backup.

📱 What’s Happening: House Bill 296, which took effect July 1, allows drivers to present their license electronically on their phone when stopped by law enforcement.

• The law specifically states that when an officer has “proper equipment,” they must accept a digital license displayed on a wireless device.
• However, police departments have until July 1, 2027, to acquire the necessary scanning technology.

🔍 Between the Lines: The Georgia Department of Public Safety is just beginning to acquire the equipment needed to verify digital licenses, creating a potentially confusing transition period.

While the rollout of this program is underway, law enforcement officials encourage all drivers to continue carrying a physical copy of their driver’s license while operating a vehicle on the roadway.

⚠️ What To Expect During A Traffic Stop: If you’re pulled over and offer your digital license:

• Officers with scanning equipment must accept it by law
• Officers without the technology can legally require you to provide a physical card
• Failing to produce a physical license when requested could result in a violation of the law.

🔄 The Bottom Line: While Georgia has officially entered the digital ID era, the practical reality is that most drivers will need to keep their physical license handy until 2027 when all law enforcement agencies are required to have the proper verification technology.

📊 The Sources: Georgia House Bill 296, O.C.G.A. 40-5-29 (b)(1), and information from the Georgia Department of Public Safety.